Protein and Cell Culture Bioprocessing Chemical Engineer Consultant

Expertise

• Cell culture/bioprocess, protein expression, protein purification, and surface sciences.
• Significantly improved recombinant protein yields (>10x to >1 g/L) in E. coli cultures by rational medium design and bioprocess optimization.
• Extensive cell culture experience for a wide range of cell types (e.g. mammalian cell lines, primary cells, bacteria and fungi).
• Specialized in cell selection, cultivation, characterization and recovery.
• Protein purification processes and protein purification strategies.
• Expertise spans from upstream cell and protein production to downstream product purification for both mammalian and bacterial cells, including the development of novel bioanalytical assays.
• Provide supports for proposal writing and drafted progress reports for research grants.

Experience

Technical Profile

• Cell Culture: Medium optimization; strain selection; bioprocess development; automated bioreactors; bench-top fermenters; flow cytometry and FACS; magnetic cell sorting; blood gas analyzer; YSI glucose and lactate analyzer; Nova Biomedical analyzer; osmometer; Coulter counter; histological staining; cell banking, cryopreservation; sterile techniques (BL1 & 2); fluorescence and confocal microscopy.
• Protein & DNA: Molecular cloning; PCR; protein expression and protein purification; HPLC (RP, SE & IE); SDS/native PAGE; Western blotting; ELISA; MALDI-MS; peptide mapping; radio labeling (P32, I125 and H3); protein conjugation and immobilization; ligand binding and cell adhesion assays; FRET.
• Surface Sciences: BIAcore SPR, XPS, AFM, QCM and ellipsometry; clean room experience; metal evaporation; lithography techniques; micro-contact printing; microfluidics; SAMs; polymerization.

Professional Experience

Biotechnology Firm, Senior Research Scientist 2006 - present

• Sustain and improve the performance of a key technology platforms.
• Develop, troubleshoot and standardize SOPs for biochemical assays. Maintain lab safety standards.
• Optimize surface chemistry and immobilization techniques for proteins and nucleic acids.
• Design, characterize and troubleshoot microfluidics and bio-MEMS devices.
• Secure and maintain relationships with CMOs, vendors and oversea suppliers for biological materials.

Duke University, Dept. of Biomedical Engineering & Center for Biologically Inspired Materials & Material Systems (CBIMMS), Post - doctoral Researcher 2003 - 2006

Biomolecular Engineering: Improved Production of polypeptide based materials.

• Significantly improved recombinant protein yields by medium design and bioprocess optimization.
• Developed a GFP based detection system with flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy to monitor protein expression and purification efficiency in batch and fed-batch shaker flask cultures.

Surface Science: Surface initiated Enzymatic Polymerization of DNA for Biosensing.

• Successfully developed patterning / lithography techniques on a non-fouling polymeric layer.
• Quantitatively evaluated the performance of a novel biosensing technology using various surface characterization techniques (AFM, XPS, SPR, ellipsometry and contact angle goniometry).

Northwestern University, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Graduate Research Assistant 1997 - 2003

• Evaluated cell culture performance, cellular responses and signaling events of hematopoietic stem cells/cell lines with flow cytometry, histological assays, western blots and pulse-chase assays.
• Immobilized protein molecules on surfaces, characterized conjugated protein, and determined surface density, conjugation efficiency and binding/desorption kinetics.
• Developed mathematical models for ligand receptor trafficking in a mammalian cell line and oxygen transfer in the bone marrow hematopoietic compartment.
• Coordinated research activities of 2 masters students and 3 junior doctoral students. Trained and supervised 3 undergraduate students on research projects.

Honors & Publications

Authored, co-authored or presented:

• 2 US patents
• 7 peer-reviewed articles
• 4 review papers/book chapters
• 2 invited presentations
• 10 conference abstracts and proceedings

Most cited 2006 paper in Biotechnology Progress.

Education

Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, Northwestern University

M.S., Chemical Engineering, Northwestern University

B.S. with Highest Distinction, Chemical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Other Education:

• Burroughs Wellcome Fellowship finalist, Duke University
• Distinguished BME Postdoctoral Fellowship finalist, Johns Hopkins University
• Northwestern University Terminal Year Dissertation Fellowship, 2001, Northwestern University Murphy Fellowship